From Buncombe County:
The Buncombe One Call Center is live and available 24/7 at 828-250-6100.
Points of Distribution for Food & Water
Buncombe County is distributing food, water, and supplies that will be available from noon until 4 p.m. at the following locations:
Buncombe County is distributing food, water, and supplies that will be available from noon until 4 p.m. at the following locations:
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William W. Estes Elementary School: 275 Overlook Road, Asheville – Noon-4 p.m. (also included non-potable or “gray” water that is not for drinking or cooking but can be used for flushing toilets)
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Sand Hill Elementary: 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville – Noon-4 p.m.
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North Windy Ridge Intermediate School: 20 Doan Road, Weaverville – Noon-4 p.m.
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Fairview Elementary School: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview – Noon-4 p.m.
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Black Mountain Ingles: 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, 28711 – Noon-4 p.m.
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Cane Middle Creek Middle: 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher – Noon-4 p.m.
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Leicester Elementary School: 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester – Noon-4 p.m.
City of Asheville Distribution:
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Asheville Middle School: 211 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
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Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
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Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza beginning at 1 p.m. until dark.
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Lucy Herring Elementary School: 98 Sulphur Springs Road. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Storm Damage Survey
Residents who sustained property damage should report it via the storm damage report survey at 828-250-6100. This is separate from FEMA reporting.
Residents who sustained property damage should report it via the storm damage report survey at 828-250-6100. This is separate from FEMA reporting.
Fire Safety Reminders
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Turn breakers off if you are without power.
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Burn storm debris (only natural items such as wood) 15+ feet from structures; only burn small piles.
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Avoid traveling into small communities to prevent delays in emergency response.
New York Fire Department
A team of 34 with the New York Fire Department arrived in the region on Thursday, Oct.3. The NYPD is surveying sites to establish Community Reception Centers where the community can access portable bathrooms, water for handwashing, showers, laundry, and more. Those centers will be announced as soon as possible.
A team of 34 with the New York Fire Department arrived in the region on Thursday, Oct.3. The NYPD is surveying sites to establish Community Reception Centers where the community can access portable bathrooms, water for handwashing, showers, laundry, and more. Those centers will be announced as soon as possible.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy currently has a crew of 21,000 line workers working on power restoration. Crews have repaired 1.2 million power outages in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene.
Duke Energy currently has a crew of 21,000 line workers working on power restoration. Crews have repaired 1.2 million power outages in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene.
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In Buncombe County, 78,000 customers are still without power as 10 a.m. Oct. 4.
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In the region, Duke estimates restoring 27,000 by tonight and 69,000 in hardest to reach regions by Sunday.
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About 105,000 customers are without power in the hardest to reach areas due to lack of access due to many roads gone. For these customers, no estimated repair times are available yet.
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Customers can get updates via email, text, and calls and those with the ability can visit dukenergyupdates.com.
The City of Asheville, Mission HCA, and the VA Hospital will join us at our community briefing at 4 p.m. live on facebook.com/buncombeGov and on many local radio stations.
YMCA Support Open to the Public – Showers and Charging
Reuter Family YMCA: The Reuter Family Y in Biltmore Park is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for showers, charging, WiFi, gymnasium, and playground.
Asheville YMCA: The Downtown Asheville YMCA is now open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to distribute essential items to the public. This location is also open (outside) for WiFi and charging. Also, the Asheville Y will host a free mobile food market on Saturday, 10/5 at 11 a.m.
Corpening Memorial YMCA: The Corpening Memorial YMCA in Marion is open from 2-6 p.m. for showers and charging.
All services are free and open to the public.
Tax Relief
The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in the entire state of North Carolina that were affected by Hurricane Helene. These taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in the entire state of North Carolina that were affected by Hurricane Helene. These taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by FEMA individuals and households that reside or have a business in the entire state qualify for tax relief.
Affected taxpayers with returns and payments with due dates postponed until Feb. 3, 2025 due to Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina will also now have until May 1, 2025 to file and/or pay.
Updates from Buncombe County Social Services
Buncombe County Department of Social Services (DSS) continues to accept and process applications for all programs either through our own staff working remotely or through mutual aid from other county DSS offices.
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If you currently receive Medicaid your benefits will be automatically extended for three months
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If you currently receive Food Assistance, the program will automatically renew your eligibility
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North Carolina is working to provide automatic replacement benefits for those on Food Assistance for their loss of food because of the power outages. We expect more information on this in the next week.
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You can access applications online for Food Assistance, Medicaid, Work First, and the Energy programs through the online portal EPASS NC: https://epass.nc.gov/.
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We are working with the state to establish a Disaster Food Assistance program. This program has fewer rules than regular food assistance and more people will qualify
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If you lost your food benefits card, we are working on a streamlined replacement process.
If you have questions or need additional information, please call: 828-250-5500.
Mental Health Support
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) to provide mental health support for first responders and volunteers working on our Hurricane Helene disaster response. It is help for the helpers.
Hope4NC is available to any first responder or volunteer. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Once again, that number is 1-855-587-3463.
Solid Waste Services Waste Pro is resuming limited service in Weaverville on Friday where safe and accessible. Residents can drop off household trash (no storm debris) at North Buncombe Pool, 734 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Buncombe County Landfill will be open Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hazardous Materials Residents are advised to avoid river areas due to debris. The County has requested testing for hazardous materials through the state emergency operations center.
Town of Woodfin Updates
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